Roots of Excellence:
Honoring the Women Who Founded the Premier Organization for Transforming Tech Leadership Mind, Body & Soul

As Women’s History Month comes to a close, I find myself reflecting deeply on the rich contributions of Black women tech executives. Their impact spans far beyond the bottom line; they have fundamentally reshaped business, technology, and the very concept of the “executive pipeline.”

I recently sat down to reread the bios of the women founders of the Information Technology Senior Management Forum (ITSMF). I emerged inspired, invigorated, and reminded of a simple truth: we are more than qualified and capable of ascending to the highest levels of leadership. However, talent alone is not always enough. We need the right people around us and a roadmap to navigate the unspoken and unwritten rules of the C-suite.

A Vision Born from Necessity

The story of ITSMF began at a Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA) conference. There, a group of senior IT leaders—influencers who represented the pinnacle of technology across major national corporations—realized they were few in number.

Carl Williams, the first ITSMF chair, remembers looking across the crowd and noticing the stark lack of Black professionals in executive positions in technology. This was not just a modern observation or a research article; it was a call to action. Following a gathering after a panel of CIOs in Atlanta, Georgia, the founders were compelled to reach, teach, and cultivate aspiring professionals to ensure the pipeline was never empty again.

They knew “loneliness at the top” all too well. When Blacks reach the executive table, they are often the only ones who look like them. But in that Atlanta meeting, there was an overwhelming sense of belonging. They found a space to share challenges authentically and support one another—a bond that eventually led them to personally invest their own resources to form a non-profit dedicated to transforming the lives of C-level technology executives and building the pipeline.

Five Women Architects of Change

While fourteen founders were responsible for the legwork of launching ITSMF in 1996, five incredible women paved the way. While managing massive corporate responsibilities, they took on the additional task of establishing what is now the premier organization for developing tech executives.

• Debra Speights Christopher: A former CIO and SVP at Fortune 500 giants like Zurich American and CNA Insurance. A true powerhouse, Debra was also a world-record-holding track athlete and a silver medalist at the 1976 Montreal Olympics. She brought the same championship discipline to the boardroom.
• F. Joyce Lewis: With a career spanning leadership roles at RR Donnelley and HSBC Technology & Services, Joyce has been a mainstay in IT management. Today, she continues her legacy as the CEO of Creative Tech Advantage LLC.
• Dr. Stephanie Parson: A decorated veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Dr. Parson transitioned from military leadership to directing IT systems at Seagram’s Spirits and Wine Group. She now leads Crowned Grace International, a global management consulting firm.
• Alana Ward Robinson: As the VP and CIO of Sara Lee Hosiery and later an SVP at RR Donnelley & Sons, Alana’s expertise in manufacturing business process redesign was legendary. She eventually founded Robinson Group Consulting, Inc.
• Sheila Talton: A brilliant leader, serial entrepreneur, Sheila founded Unisource Network Services in 1987 before holding VP roles at Cap Gemini, EDS, and Cisco Systems. She continues to innovate today as the founder of Gray Matter Analytics, Inc.

We also recognize Yvonne Sharp, who was there from day one, contributing significantly to the launch and the building of The Forum.

Strengthening Our Roots

There is a famous quote that says:

“A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin, and culture is like a tree without roots.”

As ITSMF approaches its 30th Anniversary over the next year, we will continue to celebrate and learn from all of our founders. To the women of ITSMF: your contributions to the field and your unwavering commitment to building the pipeline are commendable. We salute you.

It is not easy to maintain a successful C-level role and remain consistently engaged in a membership organization let alone launch one, lead one, and seed and nurture it for 30 years!

As our “tree” continues to grow, it is these roots—planted by these visionary women—that keep us strong and support our upward reach.

Keep Forging Connections!
Sincerely,

Johanna Jones
President & CEO

About Information Technology Senior Management Forum

Since 1996, Information Technology Senior Management Forum (ITSMF) has been dedicated to prepare professionals for executive roles in technology, to impact organizational innovation and growth. We do this by developing and nurturing these dynamic leaders through enrichment of the mind, body and soul. With a half-million new computer-related jobs expected by 2028, ITSMF is committed to increasing the number of qualified professionals for these positions. For more information about ITSMF, visit itsmfleaders.org.